Stevermuer became entagled in the dealings of the sophisticated drug supply network after an ex-neighbour, and now co-accused, approached him in 2011 about investing money in his company Albion-Park based business Always Airborne.

However the funds, which were used to purchase planes from Asia and the United States, turned out to be laundered drug money from the domestic supply ring.

Stevermuer claims he entered the arrangement not knowing the true nature of his investor's operations, however when he overheard certain discussions later on, believed he was in too deep to get out.

In Port Kembla Local Court on Friday, Magistrate Michael Stoddart refused a request by Stevermuer's lawyer to have his sentence suspended, instead ordering the 43-year-old father to spend a minimum of nine months behind bars on charges of dealing with property suspected of being the proceeds of crime and knowingly participating in a criminal group.

When police raided Stevermuer's Fairy Meadow home last year they found $70,000 in cash, which they claimed was his payment from the syndicate for bringing the plane that arrived at Albion Park into Australia.

In handing down the sentence, Magistrate Stoddart accepted that Stevermuer had entered early guilty pleas and was a sick man, noting he'd been diagnosed with terminal cancer in 2011, just before he become involved in the illegal activity.

However he said Stevermuer's crimes were at the mid-range of objective seriousness for such offences, and to suspend any sentence would be "entirely inappropriate" given the circumstances of the case.

Stevermuer has lodged an appeal and will seek release on bail this afternoon.

More to come.